Operating device for animated display signs



Filed Aug. 2, 1932 W G 'WAGENHALS OPERATING DEVICE FOR ANIMATED DISPLAY SIGNS ATTO R N EY Patented Feb. 14, 1933 UNITED STATES WILLIAM G. WAGENT-IALS, F DETROIT, MICHIGAN OPERATING DEVICE FOR ANIMATD DISPLAY SIGNS Application filed August 2, 1932;

This invention relates to animated displays or signs and more particularly to operating means therefor, and has for the primary object, the provision of a. device of the above stated character which is interchangeable from one display to another, permitting animated displays to be manufactured and distributed Without operating means, Whereby the operating means already in use may be easily and quickly installed by any one unskilled in the art, thus materially reducing the cost of such displays.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a connection or drive between the movable parts of the display and the operating means which will be smooth and quiet in operation and will prevent vibration of the operating means from being transmitted to the display or the movable parts thereof.

A further object is the provision of an electro thermostatically operated unit easily attached to a display and its movable parts and may be manufactured at a low cost and capable of application to various displays placed in use at any time after the distribution of the operating unit.

lVth these and other objects in view this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding` of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawin in which Figure 1 is a rear elevation illustrating an animated display or sign with an operating means therefor and constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure l is a sectional view taken on the line of Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates an aiinated sign of any desired character and preferably constructed of a material which will be cheap in manu- Serial N0. 627,275.

or adjacent ends of the arms or other movable parts have connected thereto flexible op- V erating elements 3 connected together, as 50 shown at 4, and may be constructed from rub.- ber, cord or any other suitable material- The purpose of having the operating elements flexible is to produce quietness in operation M of the movable parts and to prevent the G5 transmission of vibration from the operating means to the movable parts or the display'.

rlhe lower portion of the display is, preferably upon the rear face thereof, provided l with spaced guides 5 to removably receive a panel -7 for supporting the operating means.

rlhe operating means consists of a metallic casing S including an attaching plate 9 riveted or otherwise secured to the panel 7 with a removable cover 10 thereon. A solenoid 11 ismounted within the casing 8 bv an adjustable bracket 12 of the split type andthe core 13 thereof extends through an opening in the top Wall ofl the casing and is suitably connected to the flexible elements 3. 'gg The electro-magnet is electrically connected to a circuit interrupter 14. of the thermostatic type. The interrupter 14 and the electro-magnet are in circuit with electrical feed conductors 15 capable of plugging into an ordinary electric output. rlhe interrupter 14 may be of any thermostatic type which will cause an intermittent operation or energization of the electro-magnet for the purpose of attracting the core 13 intermittently, '9b causing the movable parts to move or swing on their pivots for the purpose of attracting attention to the display.

The cover 10 is removable from the plate 9 for the purpose of permitting adiustments to be madeto the circuit interrupter and to the electrical parts contained within the casing. The interrupter 14 is mounted upon an insulating plate 16 riveted or otherwise secured to the plate 9.

By having the panel 7 removably received by the guides permits the operating means to be easily and quickly applied or removed e. from the display.

It is contemplated to manufacture and distribute the display independent of the operating means so that a person desiring to use advertising matter of different kinds may be furnished with a number of diii'er- 10 ent displays and having in his possession an operating means may easily and quickly apply the operating means to any selected display, permitting the user to frequently change his displays and also materially reducing the cost of such displays, due to the fact that the manufacturer of this article will only be compelled to furnish each user With a single operating means or unit and thereafter may furnish displays of different characters in various numbers.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it Will be understood that minor changes in construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. An animated display including a nonmovable part and pivoted movable part, a

lieXible and elastic operating medium connected to the movable part, and a thermostatically controlled electrically operated unit connected to the flexible medium and removably secured to the non-movable part.

2. An animated display including a nonmovable part and movable part, a flexible medium connected to the movable part, a panel removably secured to the non-mov- ,49 able part, an electrically actuated means carried by the panel and connected to the operating medium.

3. An animated display comprising a panel, means for removably securing the panel to a display, a casing carried by the panel, an electrical operating means in said casing and connected to an operating medium of the display.

4. An animated display comprising a panel removably secured to a display, a separable casing carried by said panel, and thermostatically controlled and electrically actuated means in said casing and connected to movable parts of the display.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM G. WAGENHALS. 

